I still enjoy staring up at the skies in the spring, it reminds me of my childhood in Southeast England. Girl’s Guide road trips, always the first trip in spring- packed lunches and thermoses of tea, walks in the woods, sprouting irises, swaying daffodils, and frosty mornings. Collecting ants and storing them in old jam jars with perforated paper tops held in place with a rubber band (I’d go searching for ladybirds when I got bored of the ants). Easter egg hunts, with eggs made from cardboard egg cartons and decorated with an assortment of glitter and drainpipes. Then there was Easter Sunday at St Luke’s Church, me in new socks, and “All Things Bright and Beautiful”, still a favourite hymn. And colours, colours everywhere, after a long winter of navy blue school uniform and dreary skies.
Another spring has come. Most mornings I wake to the distant drone of traffic, but how I love the birdsong- they seem louder these days, their chirping sound heralding a new day, and indeed a new season. Some days I leave breadcrumbs for them in the garden. During the course of my day, I may check if the tiny, winged creatures have come for the free lunch. I was once surprised as I stood by the kitchen sink, the afternoon sun streaming through the window, to see not a winged creature but a furry one: a squirrel helping itself to the bread (I thought they only ate nuts!) I am more determined to leave some bread again. I actually keep some crumbs reserved for the birds in a polythene bag, stored in the freezer. I will try again, hopeful that the birds will get to the crumbs before the squirrels.
Sparrows, magpies, robins, blackbirds, even a crow; one could easily mistake my garden for an aviary. I remind myself often that even as God feeds the birds, He feeds and cares for me (Matthew 6:26)
In another spring, in another time, I had spent the day on a retreat in Farnham, Surrey at the Waverley Abbey. The talks were centred on the Book of Ruth, and how both Naomi and Ruth had returned to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Barley is harvested in the spring, so they left the emptiness of grief and famine and returned. I decided to wander on the grounds of the Abbey to help me digest the second helping of rhubarb pie and reflect on the teaching of the women who journeyed from emptiness to fullness. In the distance I could see the ruins of the old Abbey. Cistercian Monks once lived and worshipped there, the full sound of their worshipping life muted by King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.
As I continued my walk, I noticed the stern warning sign: ‘No metal detectors allowed’. I guess there must be treasure under the Abbey, buried under the rubble of stone and time as Monks fled amidst the horrors of religious persecution. I was on a different treasure hunt, trying to make meaning of the ruins and rubble of my own life, having been newly widowed at the time. Now, over two decades later and since my retreat at the Waverley, I have not made meaning of my ruins and rubble; instead I have discovered treasures of a very full life, not just in the spring, but in all seasons. I shall not be requiring a metal detector; the treasures are buried deep in my soul.
“…I have discovered treasures of a very full life, not just in the spring, but in all seasons. I shall not be requiring a metal detector; the treasures are buried deep in my soul.”
Thank you for sharing Mama!
Abz,
Spring has always had a special place in your heart of new life, new hope and new beginnings. This reflects all of this in this eloquently written piece.
Wow! I am so refreshed by this dear Abz. I felt I was leafing through your journal (left open on purpose for me to see). The lightness and the pace of your words make such easy reading whilst at the same time those same word carry enough weight to leave significant impressions. Thank you for sharing sister. Looking forward to more.
Marlene
Dear Sis Abby,
Thanks ever so much for sharing these deep insights with us. So elegantly knit together…so inspiring. Forward facing without obliterating the past. Hope…a great treasure, the wheels of our future.
Wow! “I have not made meaning of my ruins and rubble; instead I have discovered treasures of a very full life,”
And those wonderful treasures you share with us, opening our eyes to hope, to colour, to a new Spring day. What a blessing.
My darling Abby,
Wow, thank you for the gift of presence. This tells me how important it is for me to walk ever so slowly through life, deeply appreciate the everything… ALL things, and make meaning where I can. I look forward to walking with you to see what emerges tomorrow❤
Pastor Abby,
This is so beautiful! Thank you for putting me in a ‘spring mood’.
Nostalgic!
God bless you
THIS!!! SUCH A TREASURE!
I have not made meaning of my ruins and rubble; instead I have discovered treasures of a very full life, not just in the spring, but in all seasons. I shall not be requiring a metal detector; the treasures are buried deep in my soul.
Thanks dear Vicar Abby for sharing true treasure. I enjoyed reading every word and the reminder that every season carries within it treasures and pleasures ever more. So grateful for this gift.
Dear Pastor Abz, this is priceless thank you for sharing so beautifully written. Real nuggets of wisdom. The final paragraph sums it up beautifully. You are a real treasure. Xxx
Bright and lovely spring after the cold and dreary winter, sparkling treasures out of darkness, the unmistakable voice of hope in the silent place, the tiny little things and gestures that make a difference—-thanks Aunty Vicar for reminding me of the journey of life with Christ that makes life so rich.
—????????????
Spring time…a new dawn. Picturesque!!
Lovely Sis.Abbey
“I have discovered treasures of a very full life, not just in the spring, but in all seasons.” Those words won’t ever leave me. Thank you my dearest Pst Abby for sharing these refreshing thoughts filled with heart and hope.
Aunty Abby darling ???? this is so beautiful and reflective! What comes to mind, my mind is ” one day at a time…” Life emerges..” And surely, God has treasures for each day! Thanks for sharing and blessing with such an inspiration…
So intricate and well written. It made me nostalgic. A beautiful reminder that life takes us through different seasons!
Oh How refreshing. Thank you so much for sharing this glimmer of hope of newness and treasure that you have discovered Dear Pastor Abi. The words really puts one in the picture. No metal detectors needed. The treasure is right here deep in our souls. Thank You Lord. ????????❤️????????
I love this! The thought of tea in Thermoses just made me smile, bringing back memories of years ago.
It’s spring, the earth is smiling!
I was getting increasingly delighted as your words painted a vivid picture I could relate to. This is so beautifully written and authentically expressed. Thank you for being bold enough to share and give of your self. My soul is reminded now of buried treasures within.
This is absolutely stunning and beautifully written. What a timely message of hope, love, healing, and leadership.
Thank you for sharing this with all of us!
Dear Abby,
This is simply stunning. What a beautifully written message — so full of wisdom, love, and healing.
You are brilliant!
Thank you for sharing this with all of us!
Love it . Thanks for writing
I loved reading
Well done
Each season truly has its own attraction and beauty.
What would we do without the sifflent season. Thank God for each season
Wonderful ????????????????. I hear you expressing future memories rooted in your past springing forth from your very British childhood and which now form the hidden treasures buried in the Abby
You’ve always been one to make the best of whoever you want to be…….mother, friend, sister, ambassador, Vicar, apostle, mentor, poet….
“I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. “
Simply carry on, as Scott Fitzgerald said, and make the best of this phase of life, and the next phase and more.
The great woman of a great God this is absolutely fantastic and great read. Brilliant topic. Totally authentic.
Dearest Aby, what a refreshing read! Thank you for sharing some of your treasures with us – your God-given ability to inspire and the meaningful way you share your joy.
Spring would always symbolize a fresh and new start . For me, it is a time of hope, to start all over, to try something new and different. It’s a time of refreshing and a time to Take That Leap of faith and be renewed in confidence. What an enjoyable read Vicar. Thanks for sharing. ????
That’s so so beautiful, treasures buried deep in our souls. .
Why is it that some treasures are only found in darkness I wonder?
Isaiah 45:3
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel
Inspiring, nostalgic, reminder of the suffering of others who walked this path and even presently, a confirmation of God’s faithfulness. Thanks for sharing!
So delightfully authentic.
So restful, so spiritually satisfying.
Vintage indeed from the Vicar
Love this!! So refreshing! Like spring I guess ????